Hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus



Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL 3,478,940

HOSIERY INSPECTING ANI) BAGGING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1968 3Sheets-Sheet l a [I I! 2 LIL- w INVENTOR PREDRAG V4 SREDL wwu, chuyluem/age ATTORNEYS Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL HOSIERY INSPECTING ANDBAGGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iled May 20, 1968 I O O 0 A w? 7 a ga a on? a 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 18, 1969 P. v. SREDL HOSIERY INSPECTINGAND BAGGING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1968 w Q Isa; 55% 5% E33,; 97%2110A! a: 2: 258 Qzsw 0 Q 5 1 =2 mo :22; $55 3% 55a; 52 IE DEED mx N m o2 Es NR 5 5 3 I a. a $538 Q United States Patent US. Cl. 223-43 11Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hosiery inspecting and baggingapparatus of the type in which hosiery inspected on an elongated form iseverted through an inlet into a passage extending longitudinally throughthe form and discharged therefrom through an outlet by inducing a flowof air through the form from the inlet. Suflicient velocity is impartedto the hosiery ,moving through the passage to impel the hosiery out ofthe opening-through influence of its own inertia.

This invention relates in general to stocking inspecting apparatus, 'andmore particularly to an improved apparat'us for use in inspecting,

toe closing, everting and bagging socks.

It is well-known to inspect hosiery on the open end of an elongated,-hollow'inspection form, and to evert "the hosiery through the form anddischarging it from an outlet spaced from the open end. This isaccomplished by causing a flow of air through the form from the open endto draw the stocking into and evert the stocking through the form. Suchan apparatus is disclosed, for

"example, in US. Patent No. 2,869,765. It is also known to support theelongated hosiery inspection form for pivotal movement about a verticalaxis and to mount a "sewing machine adjacent the open end of the form sothat stockings knitted with open toes may be inspected on 'the form,with the form then being pivoted past the *sewing" machine to close thetoe of the stocking, and to Y subsequentlyever't the sewn stockingthrough the inspec- 'tion form. Such an apparatus is disclosed in US.patent application Ser. No. 584,455, filed Oct. 5, 1966, now Patent'No.3,327,664, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. While theapparatus disclosed in this co-pending application has many advantagesover the devices of 'theprior art, it has not been entirely satisfactoryfor inspecting, sewing, everting and bagging relatively heavy hosierysuch, for example, as mens work socks. Accordingly, it isan object ofthe present invention to provide an improved'apparatus for inspectingand bagging socks.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor inspecting and bagging socks in which the socks are inspected on theopen end of a i form, and everted through the form and discharged into areceptacle.

In the attainment of the foregoing and other objects, an importantfeature of the invention resides in inducing a flow of air through ahollow inspection form to evert the stockings therethrough by applying asuction to the hollow form intermediate its inlet and outlet. Sufficientvelocity is imparted to the socks while moving through the form so thattheir own inertia carries them past the point where the suction isapplied to impel them from the open end of the form.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following specification, taken with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hosiery inspecting, seaming, evertingandbagging apparatus according to the i present invention;

3,478,940 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 FIG. 2 is a top plan view of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a portion of the mechanism shownin FIG. 1, with certain parts broken away to more clearly show otherparts;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6- is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the controls for theapparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the inspecting, turning andbagging apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally by thereference numeral 10 and is illustrated in position adjacent aconventional overedge sewing machine 12 to permit knitted socks to beinspected on the apparatus, then have their open toe sewn closed on themachine while the socks remain on the inspecting apparatus. Theinspecting apparatus 10 comprises a frame indicated generally by thereference numeral 13 and including a table top 14 supported byvertically adjustable legs 16, with horizontal rails 18 supported on thelegs 16 below the table top. An elongated horizontally disposedinspection form 20 has one end pivotally supported on table top 14 forlimited pivotal movement about a vertical axis to permit the open end 22of form 20 to be pivoted from a sewing position disposed adjacent thesewing machine 12 to inspecting and everting positions spaced from themachine as indicated in FIG. 2.

Inspection form 20 preferably includes an elongated cylindricalinspection body 24 of transparent material having a hollow passage 26extending longitudinally therethrough from the open inlet 22 and openinginto an enlarged cylindrical chamber 28 at its opposite end.

An enlarged bearing sleeve 32 is mounted on the discharge end of body 24by suitable means such as set screws 34. A counterbore 36 is formed inthe end of ring 32 and an elongated cylindrical sleeve 38 istelescopingly received in the counterbore and retained therein by setscrews 40. An annular collar 42 is mounted on the ring 32 in concentric,outwardly spaced relation to the sleeve 38 by suitable means such as setscrews 44. An annular ring 46, mounted on the discharge end of sleeve 38and attached thereto by set screws 48, acts as a spacer betweenthe outercylindrical surface of sleeve 38 and the inner cylindrical surface ofcollar 42 to define an annular hollow manifold chamber 50 extendingaround the outer periphery of sleeve 38 along a substantial portion ofits length. A plurality of openings 52 spaced both axially andcircumferentially along the length of sleeve 38 provides an air passagefrom the enlarged interior portion 28 of the inspection form to themanifold area 50. Collar 42 is rigidly attached .to ring 46 by setscrews 54. If desired, the body 24 may be supported for free rotationabout its longitudinal axis by bearing sleeve 32.

A journal block 56 is rigidly mounted on table top 14 by bolts 58,extending through flange 60. Journal block 56 has a vertical bore 62formed therein for rotatably supporting a vertically extending hollowshaft 64 having its upper end fixed, as by welding, within an opening 66in collar 42. Shaft 64 is rotatably supported on the end of journalblock 56 by a radially extending flange 68, with the shaft 64 beingretained against removal from the bore 62 by a set screw 71 extendingthrough the journal block 56 and projecting into an annular recess 73formed in the outer surface of the hollow shaft 64. Thus, bearing block56 provides vertical support for the inspection form while permittingpivotal movement of the form in a horizontal plane about the verticalaxis of shaft 64.

A bracket 70 is mounted on the outer surface of collar 42 and extendshorizontally thereabove. An arm 72 is pivotally supported on bracket 70,as by pin 74, and a butterfly valve element 75 is mounted on the lowerend of arm 72 in position to engage an annular sealing ring 76 mountedon ring 46 to close the outlet opening 77 of the inspection form. Arm 72carries an actuator 78 positioned to engage and actuate a micro switch80 upon pivotal movement of the arm 72 about pin 74 to open the formoutlet. Switch 80 is electrically connected to a counter mechanism 81which is advanced each time the switch 80 is actuated to provide anaccurate count of the number of times that the butterfly valve 75 isopened. Actuator element 78 also acts as a counterweight for thebutterfly valve element 75 to assist in movement of the valve element toopen the interior of the inspection form.

As is most clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the table top 14 has anopening 82 extending downwardly therethrough, with an adapter sleeve 84fixed therein in fluid communication with the axial bore 86 of thevertical shaft 64. Conduit 88 is releasably attached to the adapter 84beneath table 14, and is connected to the inlet end of a normally closedvacuum release valve 92, through a sealing ring 94, to an air filter 96which, in turn, is connected to the inlet 97 of a vacuum pump 98. Thevacuum pump 98 exhausts through a flexible conduit 99, mufiler 99a, andoutlet 99b. Pump 98 is driven, through pulley 100, a belt 102 and pulley104, by a suitable electric motor 106 mounted on frame 13 beneath rails18. Vacuum release valve 92 is normally held in the closed position by aspring 108, and moved to an open, or vacuum release position by asolenoid 110 to provide a bypass permitting air to flow into the inletof the vacuum pump without passing through the inspection form. However,with the vacuum release valve in the closed, or de-energized position,and the vacuum pump operating, air will be drawn from the inspectionform through the openings 52 into the manifold area 50 and thencedownward through the hollow bore 86 of shaft 64 into the vacuum pump.The reduced pressure causing this flow of air will tend to urge thebutterfly valve 75 to the closed position illustrated in the drawing sothat a flow of air will be induced through the inspection form from theopen inlet 22.

To control actuation of the vacuum release valve solenOid 110, a microswitch 112 is mounted on journal block 56- by a suitable bracket 114,and an actuator arm 116 mounted on sleeve 42 projects laterally outwardfrom the inspection form in position to engage and actuate the switch112 upon pivotal movement of the form about the vertical axis of shaft64. Switch 112 is connected in the control circuit, as illustrated inFIGS. 3

' and 6, to actuate the switch 112 to energize solenoid 110 to releasethe vacuum within the inspection form when the form is in the inspectingposition illustrated as the intermediate dotted line position in FIG. 2or the sewing position in which the open end 22 is disposed adjacent thesewing machine 12, as illustrated in full line in FIG. 2. Pivotalmovement of the form past the intermediate dotted line (inspection)position to the extreme dotted line (turning or everting) position shownin FIG. 2 actuates switch 112 to de-energize solenoid 110, therebypermitting spring 108 to close valve 92 to apply a vacuum within themanifold 50 to cause a flow of air through inspection form 20.

A second micro switch 118 is mounted, by suitable bracket 120, onjournal block 56 in position to be engaged and actuated by the camsurface of a second actuat'ing arm 122 extending laterally from sleeve42 on the side of form 20 opposite the actuating arm 116. Switch 118 isconnected in the control circuit for the sewing machine to controlenergization of a solenoid 119 to actuate the sewing machine brake andclutch mechanism 121 (see FIG. 6)- Switch 118 is connected in thecircuit so that actuation of the switch by the arm 122 upon pivotalmovement of the inspection form 20* to the toe closing position willclose a circuit energizing a solenoid to release the brake andsimultaneously engage the clutch of the sewing machine so that themachine is automatically operated when the form is in the toe closingposition. Movement of the form awayfr'om the toe closing position towardthe inspecting position releases the drive clutch and engages the braketo stop the sewing machine.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a'horizontally extending bracketextends outwardly from table top 14 and supports an upwardly-extendingarm 132 which, in turn, supports an inclined deflector plate '134 inspaced, substantially aligned position from the outlet end of theinspection form. A container 136 for'receiving socks discharged from theinspecting apparatus is positioned beneath the deflector plate 134.While the'container 136 is illustrated in the drawings in 'the form of arigid frusto-conical container, depositing of the socks in randomrelation in such a container is normally re ferred to in the hosieryindustry as bagging.

In operation of the apparatus according to this invention, an operatorwill manually draw a sock, welt-endfirst, onto the outer surface of theopen end of the inspection form by first pivoting the inspection form tothe turning and everting position to establish a flow of airtherethrough and presenting the open toe end "or the sock to the openend of the inspection form and permitting it to be drawn into theinterior of the form. The operator then pivots the form towardthe sewingmachine to the inspection position to stop the fiow of air through theform and draws welt end of the sock onto the outer surface of the form.After inspecting the sock in the con ventional manner, the operator thenpivots the form to the toe closing position, thereby actuating the'sewing machine, and the open toe of the sock is presented by theoperator to the machine to have the toe closed in the manner describedin the above-mentioned co-pending application.

Upon completion of the toe closing operatiomthe inspection form is thenpivoted back to the turning position, thereby stopping the sewingmachine and simultaneously closing the vacuum release valve to create a-flow of air through'the inspection form from the open inlet 22. Thisflow of air draws the toe of the sock into the form, therebyautomatically everting the sock as it is drawn into the form. The socktends to restrict the flow of air through the form so that the reducedair pressure within the form accelerates the sock until it has attaineda relatively high rate of speed as it enters the eularged portion of thehollow interior of the inspection form at 28. At this point, the flow'bfair through the in: spection form behind the sock greatly relieves thepartial vacuum within this area of the inspection form, so that thekinetic energy imparted to the sock impels: it past the small openings52 in the sleeve 38 to impact'with the closed butterfly valve element75. The kinetic energy of the sock is sufiicient to permit the sock tobe impelled from the interior of the inspection form, under its owninertia, to strike the deflector plate 134 and dropint the container136. I I I Although the above-described apparatus has provensatisfactory for commercial use, it is contemplated that the apparatusmay be modified to include suitable means for sensing the movement of asock through the inspection form and to energize the vacuum releasevalve when the sock reaches a predetermined point. For example, photoelectric cell could be employed to se'nse, a sock approaching or movinginto the enlarged cham'ber..2 8. This arrangement may be desired, where'the inspector does not evert the hose onto'the open end of the form, orto permit use of the apparatus withrelatively lightweight stockings. Itis also contemplated thata manually activated switch be provided tocontrol activation of the vacuum control valve, or of the sewingmachine, or both, to permit more freedom of movement of the form to suitthe convenience of the operator.

While I have disclosed and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it understood that I do not intend to be solelyrestricted thereto, but that I do intend to include all embodimentsthereof which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which comewithin the spirit and scope of my invention.

1. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongatedform having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough from aninlet at one end to an outlet, and means for inducing a flow of airthrough the passage from the inlet to evert hosiery through the inletinto the passage and discharge the hosiery from the outlet, theimprovement comprising port means in said form communicating with saidpassage intermediate said inlet and said outlet, and exhaust meansoperatively connected with said port means, said exhaust means beingoperable to evacuate air from said passage through said port means toinduce a flow of air through said passage from sai dinlet at a rate toimpart sufiicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impelthe hosiery past said port means and out of said passage through saidoutlet.

2. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging system in which hosiery inspectedon an elongated form is everted through an inlet into a passageextending longitudinally thr ugh the form and discharged from thepassage through an outlet by indducing a flow of air through the passagefrom said inlet, the improvement comprising the steps of inducing saidflow of air by evacuating air from said passage through a portpositioned intermediate said inlet and said outlet at a rate to impartsuflicient velocity to hosiery everted into said passage to impel thehosiery past the port and out of said passage through said outlet.

3. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus including an elongatedform having a free end and a hosiery passage extending longitudinallytherethrough from an inlet opening at said free end to a dischargeopening at the end opposite said free end, and means for inducing a Howof air through said form to convey hosiery therethrough from said inletopening and discharge the hosiery from said discharg opening, theimprovement wherein said means for inducing said flow of air comprisesport means in said form communicating with said hosiery passage adjacentsaid discharge opening, duct means connected to said port means, andexhaust means for producing a reduced pressure in said duct means, saidexhaust means being effective to produce a fiow of air through saidhosiery passage to impart sufficient velocity of hosiery everted intosaid passage to impel the hosiery past said port means and out throughsaid discharge opening.

4. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 3,the further improvement comprising valve means in said duct meansbetween said port means and said exhaust means, said valve means beingmovable between a first position permitting said exhaust means toproduce a flow of air through said passage and a second position tointerrupt said flow of air.

5. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4,the further improvement comprising support means at the end of said formopposite said free end .mounting said form for limited pivotal movementabout a substantially vertical axis between an everting position and atoe closing position.

6..In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 5,the further improvement comprising control means responsive to thepivotal movement of said form for controlling operation of said valvemeans to provide a flow of air through said passage when said form is insaid everting position and to stop the flow of air through said passagewhen said form is in said toe closing position.

7. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 6,the further improvement wherein said control means includes meansresponsive to pivotal movement of said form for activating a sewingmachine when said form is in said toe closing position and fordeactivating the sewing machine when said form is moved from said toeclosing position.

8. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4,the further improvement comprising check valve means for closing saiddischarge opening to restrict the flow of air through said passage fromsaid discharge opening, said check valve means being normally closed andmovable to an open position by impact of hosiery moving through saidpassage.

9. The hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus defined in claim 8,wherein said check valve means is urged to aclosed position by saidexhaust means when said valve means is in said open position.

10. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 4,the further improvement wherein said port .means comprises a pluralityof ports spaced longitudinally and circumferentially of said formadjacent said outlet opening, and exhaust manifold means surroundingsaid openings.

11. In a hosiery inspecting and bagging apparatus according to claim 10,the further improvement wherein said hosiery passage in said form is ofsubstantially increased diameter adjacent said outlet opening, saidplurality of openings extending through said form in the area of saidincreased diameter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,899,116 8/1959 Long et al.22343 2,944,709 7/1960 Kienel 223-43 3,351,033 11/1967 Kienel 1l2-20MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl.X.R.

